Winter tree lights.

Today I took a walk in my sister's neighborhood before coming inside at the end of the day. Her area has beautiful old Brooklyn town houses and it relaxes me walking along the tree-lined streets, especially after being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York City's Manhattan and subways. The weather was a little overcast, but in a misty and crisp way...one of my favorite types of weather. It makes me feel introspective and like I want to read under a lamp curled up at home.

On my walk it caught my eye that some of the houses have lights on the small trees by the front door. I loved seeing these lights-- they reminded me of Christmas lights in an elegant post-Christmas way. My soul lit up seeing these trees and bushes with flickering bulbs against the cloudy sky. I posted photos of the magic above!

Moving forward...

I have realized that multiple stressful things in my environment have built up within me that I have been suppressing. I have focused so much on my passion for the social work program that I have not taken care of myself and some basic needs. Through being blind sided to that one mission, I have ignored the alarm bells within me. And they are going off more and more as time passes. Last night an incident shook me awake and made me realize I need to be more aware of balance in my life, paying attention to needs otherwise it is detrimental to others in my life and myself. Yes, I am behind in my classes but I cannot expect myself to catch up right away while doing many other things at the same time. I need to give myself credit for doing as much as I have done since arriving here.

So I believe the first step now is to open my eyes to my life here-- not only to my school courses. To the overall experience and moments, and to re-embrace the activities and things I love to do. Whether it's going to the food co-op, farmer's market, walking through Prospect Park, learning about Buddhism, doing art work, or photography. I think it is also important for me to check-in everyday and think about whether I am slipping into a narrow track or experiencing the days and my emotions in a balanced and healthy way. I especially need those outlets because of the intensity of my program in social work and the emotionally draining (at times) material I am studying. Otherwise, I will keep the negative energy inside and it comes out at random times in non-constructive ways. Therefore, I need to work on transcending and transforming that negative energy....

To my sweetie....

I was standing in front of Conneticute Muffin in Brooklyn Heights tonight talking on the phone when I looked down at my feet to see this! This pink heart was painted on the pavement...it was so sweet to see since I was talking with my lovey on the phone and it just reflected my feelings.

Brooklyn sun....

Walking home from classes, the sun casted a beautiful glow across Brooklyn Heights. The buildings were lit in interesting ways, making great lines and angles of light. I managed to reflect some of those images in my camera. The buildings in brooklyn heights are quite beautiful to begin with, but take an entirely new shape with the sun!

I had my third class of the four I'm taking in social work graduate school today. I'm very much liking all of them and curious about the fourth one, Human Behavior in the Social Environment. I feel like I'm feeding my mind such wonderful stuff in the classes and through my readings. I hope that I can think about the information in a creative way and contribute to the field while also helping people through my internship now and in the future. This is the beginning of such a long road I'm prepared to take, it's going to be wonderful every step of the way! I can feel it!

Walk in Brooklyn Heights

I took a walk along the brooklyn heights promenade yesterday afternoon. I needed a break from studying. The air was misty and the clouds bluish/gray...it was refreshing. After taking some photos, I felt ready to get back to studying.

New.

I am in nyc now and staying with my sister and soon to be brother-in-law until I get settled in school. Her apartment is very cozy, and I feel very lucky to have her welcome me here. It's raining outside now but the ethereal curtains with lights cast a cozy magical ambiance despite the outdoors weather.

Saying goodbye to friends....

Princess

I've noticed the past couple days the cat I live with, Princess, looks at me in a questioning/sad way. And I almost think it is because she can sense I'm moving away; tomorrow I'm going. I believe animals have senses humans do not have or use.

I remember the first day I moved in she kept staring at me in a scared way, and then within a day she was very affectionate, purring and sleeping on my bed with me. It's sad to move away and I wish that I could have staid her roommate longer!